Carnation plant named ‘KLEDG11143’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Carnation named ‘KLEDG11143’ particularly characterized by its compact growth, early flowering, and dark purple flowers with light borders, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Dianthus caryophyllus.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEDG11143’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of carnation,botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, and hereinafter referred toby the variety name ‘KLEDG11143’. The new variety is the result of across conducted in July 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany between theproprietary female parent carnation plant, ‘Dianthus×allwoodii’(unpatented) and the proprietary male parent, ‘DCP 06 030’ (unpatented).A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluationand for asexual propagation. The new variety was first propagated viavegetative cuttings in June 2007 in Stuttgart, Germany and has beenasexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart,Germany for approximately six to seven generations. ‘KLEDG11143’ hasbeen found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successiveasexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

‘KLEDG11143’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than oneyear prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Compact growth;    -   2. Early flowering; and    -   3. Dark purple flowers with light borders

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new carnation plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographwhich shows the flowers and foliage of the plant. The colors shown areas true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures. The photograph was taken in April 2010 of a 5-month-oldplant grown from rooted cuttings in a 10 centimeter pot in aglass-covered greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany under conditions whichapproximate those generally used in horticultural practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLEDG11143’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inStuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in Spring 2010 on5-month-old plants in 10 centimeter pots that were pinched once at week45 and grown in a glass-covered greenhouse. The color readings weredetermined under natural light. Color references are to The R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.),Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Caryophyllaceae.        -   Genus and species.—Dianthus caryophyllus.        -   Common name.—Carnation.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary carnation            ‘Dianthus×allwoodii’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary carnation ‘DCP 06 030’            (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Form.—Potted plant.        -   Habit.—Upright, round.        -   Height (from top of soil).—12.0 cm to 15.0 cm.        -   Width (spread).—12.0 cm to 15.0 cm.        -   Life cycle.—Perennial.        -   Flowering habit.—Continuous.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—4 months.        -   Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots.—20 days.        -   Root description.—Fine; RHS NN155C (White).        -   Temperature tolerances.—+30° C. to −15° C.-   Branches:    -   -   Strength.—Medium.        -   Quantity per plant.—7 to 9.        -   Color.—RHS 126B.        -   Length.—4.0 cm to 8.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.4 cm to 0.6 cm.        -   Internode length.—0.5 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color.—Immature leaf (both upper and lower surfaces): RHS            126C. Mature leaf (both upper and lower surfaces): RHS 126C.        -   Length.—5.0 cm to 6.0 cm.        -   Width.—0.4 cm to 0.5 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Venation color (both upper and lower surfaces).—RHS 126C.        -   Petioles.—Absent.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming habit.—Small sprays.        -   Flower type.—Double.        -   Flowering season.—Early Spring to late Fall.        -   Width.—3.0 cm.        -   Depth.—2.0 cm.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Fragrance.—Present.        -   Number of flowers per plant.—3 to 4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—RHS N77B.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—0.6 cm to 1.8 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.5 cm to 0.8 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Arranged in several whorls.        -   Quantity (per flower).—Greater than 20.        -   Shape.—Spoon-shaped.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Base.—Acute.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Width.—1.3 cm.        -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: RHS N79B and RHS 63B (at            eye). Lower surface: RHS 71B. When fully opened: Upper            surface: RHS N79C and RHS 63B (at eye). Lower surface: RHS            71B.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.-   Sepals:    -   -   Calyx.—Form: Cylinder vase. Length: 1.8 cm. Width: 0.8 cm to            1.0 cm.        -   Arrangement.—Fused.        -   Quantity (per flower).—4 to 5.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Smooth.        -   Length.—0.6 cm.        -   Width.—0.6 cm.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS N77B and RHS 137B. Lower surface:            RHS N77B and RHS 137C.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—5.0 cm to 8.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.2 cm to 0.3 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—RHS 126C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Pistils.—Quantity: 1. Stigma color: RHS 63A through RHS 63D            and RHS 69D. Ovary color: RHS 144D.        -   Stamens.—Quantity: Moderate. Filament: Length: 0.5 cm to            1.2 cm. Color: RHS 69D, and RHS 63A through RHS 63D. Anther            color: RHS 63A. Pollen: Amount: Moderate. Color: RHS 69C.-   Fruit and seed set: None observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or    susceptibility to common carnation diseases or insect pests has been    observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL VARIETIES

‘KLEDG11143’ differs from the female parent, the proprietary carnationplant ‘Dianthus×allwoodii’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEDG11143’ hasdouble, dark purple flowers, while ‘Dianthus×allwoodii’ has semi-double,light pink flowers.

‘KLEDG11143’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary carnationplant ‘DCP 06 030’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEDG11143’ has dark purpleflowers, compact growth, and small leaves, while ‘DCP 06 030’ has darkpurple flowers, stronger growth, and wide leaves.

1. A new and distinct variety of Carnation plant named ‘KLEDG11143’ asshown and described herein.